Atlanta Pulls Out the Stops for 2007's Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

Commemoration activities in Atlanta for Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday began even before the official holiday arrived. One of the literary world's most notable authors, Maya Angelou, was on hand at the MLK, Jr. International Chapel for a special concert led by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Their 15^th annual concert, on January 11^th, 2007, celebrating the life of Dr. King, set the stage for the Target-sponsored guest. Thanks to the sponsor, guests buying tickets to the performance received a free ticket with every ticket purchase.

On January 15, 2006, however, the city of Atlanta was abuzz with all sorts of celebrations honoring the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. One of which was an MLK parade in Lawrenceville. Gwinnett County students joined approximately 200 people in the parade and also attended a special ceremony in which they read personal essays about the late Civil Rights leader. Children from various schools in the county (from elementary to high school) shared their own interpretations about Dr. King's struggle.

The main attraction this year, nonetheless, was the opening of the "I Have a Dream" exhibition, a huge display of photographs, personal papers, and other historic items of Dr. King's. The exhibit, situated inside the Atlanta History Center on West Paces Ferry Road, houses over 600 various artifacts, and is said to be the most comprehensive collection of Martin Luther King's pivotal personal effects. The display will remain open to the public through May 13, 2007, with admission being free only on the day of the King Holiday, every Monday, and the first full weekend of each month until the exhibit's closing.

Local Atlanta volunteers at the Hands On Network also celebrated the special occasion by joining with school systems to put in order, six Hands On Schools projects. These programs encourage students to get involved in volunteer community activities---some of which were part of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s quest for social activism.